The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 567: Chapter 567: Silent Night

Princess Qingyang paused. ”That... shouldn’t be a problem, should it? After all, this Crown Prince is highly renowned in Wazhen. He has a great many followers and is the strongest contender to be the next chieftain. It’s only logical that he’s the one who came.”

The world is full of people who seek unearned fame, but Ugle, at least, has won battles on horseback.

Even if he wasn’t exceptionally brilliant, he had his own strengths and advantages.

Ye Chutang nodded and said no more, glancing over in that direction again from the corner of her eye.

Ugle was listening to the two sides discuss tariffs. The ministers argued incessantly, but he merely frowned, a hint of impatience on his face.

A sudden movement beside her made Ye Chutang lower her gaze, only to be met by Xiao Wu’s sparkling eyes.

She began signing with her hands.

’They just agreed on a percentage point for the tariff! That’s a lot of extra money for the year!’

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow, surprised that Xiao Wu, who was usually obsessed with food and drink, had actually taken in the tedious conversation.

She had only explained tax-related matters to Yan a few times in the past. Who would have thought this Little Point would remember everything so clearly?

Xiao Wu began counting on her fingers, calculating earnestly.

’If they could just negotiate down one more point, then they could collect so much more silver...’

Ye Chutang gently took her hand.

Xiao Wu looked up in confusion.

’What’s wrong? Was my math off?’

Ye Chutang popped a honey-glazed green apricot into her mouth.

”These seem nice. Try one.”

The sweet treat worked its magic. Xiao Wu’s attention was instantly diverted, and she signed excitedly.

’This is delicious too! Let’s pack them all up and bring them back for Third Brother!’

Ye Chutang breathed a sigh of relief.

If she hadn’t stopped her, Xiao Wu would have probably finished all her sums by now.

This wasn’t quite the time or place for that.

Fortunately, Xiao Wu didn’t seem to notice anything amiss and began to eat with gusto once more.

However, the occasional twitch of her perked-up ears revealed she was still listening in with half a mind.

Princess Qingyang, unaware of the subtle exchange, saw how much Xiao Wu was enjoying the sweets and immediately passed her own plate over, saying with a broad smile:

”What a little foodie! If there’s anything you like to eat in the future, just tell me! You can eat your fill at my Commandery Princess Mansion!”

Xiao Wu beamed at her.

Princess Qingyang’s heart melted. She couldn’t resist pinching Xiao Wu’s soft, plump cheeks.

”Oh, she’s just as cute as I was when I was a girl! Who could possibly not adore her!?”

Ye Chutang: ”...”

Recalling the old rumors she had heard about the ”little tyrant,” Ye Chutang seriously doubted the truth of that statement.

She subconsciously glanced across the hall, overcome by a sudden impulse to go and seek confirmation.

Princess Qingyang looked up, followed her gaze, and a knowing smile immediately spread across her face.

”It’s true what they say! When you like someone, even if you don’t say a word, it just shines out of your eyes!”

Ye Chutang: ”...”

She turned her head away, speechless. After a brief pause, she advised earnestly,

”Your Highness, perhaps you should read fewer romance novellas.”

Princess Qingyang: ???

...

The rest of the negotiations went quite smoothly.

At long last, the banquet began to wind down.

Emperor Muwu said, ”It is growing late. We can continue our discussion tomorrow. The Crown Prince has led his mission from a thousand miles away and must be weary from the journey. You should rest well.”

Xiao Chengqi had already ordered a residence to be prepared in advance, specifically for Ugle and his retinue to stay.

The two sides had been at war for so many years. With the sudden armistice, there was far too much to negotiate; it couldn’t possibly be settled in just a day or two.

Everyone knew this was a war of attrition, one without the smoke of gunpowder.

Ugle readily accepted.

...

「Anhua Palace.」

Xiao Chengxuan was locked inside. The room, lit by only a single candle, was incredibly dim.

A long-cold meal sat on the table.

Xiao Chengxuan stood by the window, gazing toward Chongyuan Hall.

Through the many layers of palace walls, he couldn’t actually see anything.

But faintly, he could still hear the festive din coming from that direction.

He knew tonight’s banquet was to welcome the Wazhen Mission. Everyone was there—except for him.

A trace of resentment flared in Xiao Chengxuan’s eyes.

’I should have been the one receiving the mission at Chongyuan Hall!’

’But now, I have nothing at all!’

’And this was all thanks to that bitch, Xiao Lansi!’

’It’s a shame they’re holding me and Xiao Lansi separately. Otherwise...’

’No!’

’I can’t let them trap me here to die!’

’The moment the Wazhen Mission leaves the Capital City, I’ll be exiled to Yizhou!’

’I have to think of something. Even if I can’t escape completely, I have to make that bitch pay the price!’

...

「Yaohua Palace.」

With only the Imperial Guard on watch, the courtyard seemed unnaturally desolate and austere.

It was a desolate scene compared to its former liveliness.

Xiao Lansi was being held here.

Ever since Jiang Qingmei was thrown into the Cold Palace, Yaohua Palace had lost its former glory. It was the Eldest Princess’s decision to have Xiao Lansi confined here.

Her exact words had been, ”Since Xiao Lansi has spent the most time residing in Yaohua Palace, this is the place that must be thoroughly investigated! Who knows, we might just find some old clues!”

Naturally, Xiao Lansi volunteered nothing, simply allowing them to search.

She remained silent all day, refusing to interact with anyone, as if she had resigned herself to her fate.

Now, she sat quietly in her room, like a specter in the dead of night.

Suddenly, the window rattled.

Xiao Lansi’s gaze finally shifted in that direction.

A crumpled ball of paper was tossed inside, and a dark shadow flitted past the window in a blur.

Xiao Lansi walked over.

Her feet were bare, so she made no sound.

Then, she picked up the ball of paper and slowly unfolded it—